KuDu Redefining The Way We View African Interior Design Style

‘Africa is Beautiful. Africa is Home.’ Two concise, yet perfectly self explanatory statements that define the ethos of KuDu Home, a stylish online interiors boutique that presents contemporary African interior design style in the form of covetable curated collections of rare artifacts, luxurious contemporary furnishings, homeware, and decorative and lifestyle accessories made in Africa. Taking its name from a species of African antelope, renowned for its grace, beauty and stature, KuDu Home is the latest in a new wave of interior retailers redefining the way we view design and creativity from Africa, avoiding the stereotypes, and instead seeking to introduce a refreshingly modern feel without losing the ‘essence’ of Africa.

[Main image credit: KuDu Home]

[Image credit: Artifacts and Lifestyle Accessories – KuDu Home]

KuDu Home was launched on the 1st June 2015 by Thandi Mbali Renaldi, who is of British/South African heritage and currently based in Belgium. The brand is the culmination of Thandi’s two passions, Africa and interior design and art. An avid collector of interiors magazines, particularly those from South Africa, enabled Thandi to learn about what was happening in the local design scene, and saw her twice yearly trips to South Africa fuel her appetite for finding out more about designers and artisans she would read about in the magazines, as well as seizing the opportunity to seek out new talent.

The idea for KuDu Home began three years ago when Thandi realised just how much in the way of products and artifacts she was bringing back with her to Brussels from her visits to family in Durban. The beautifully crafted objects eventually made their way into the home she was renovating, and soon gave rise to comments from friends who wanted to know where they too could purchase similar items. This marked the beginning for Thandi to introduce modern African interior design style to European audiences.

[Image credits: Adrmore Cushions – KuDu Home]

“I hope that by connecting directly with producers across the African Continent, sourcing the finest products I can for KuDu it will demonstrate the diversity and freshness of the African design landscape”. – Thandi Mbali Renaldi

KuDu Home is a place to discover products not readily available in Europe or online in general, and to celebrate the quality and traditions of craftsmanship that characterise true luxury and a view of contemporary African interior design style. KuDu partners with leading designers, artisans and suppliers across the continent to produce and source their collections, many of whom, such as Ardmore, Gone Rural and ZENZULU are known for blending traditional skills with contemporary aesthetics.